Location:
Broome Bird Observatory is located on the north-west coast of Australia
on the shores of Roebuck Bay: Just 25 kilometres east of the town of
Broome and some 2,400 road kilometres north of Perth and around two
hours by air.
Supervising Bander:The Wardens
Contact Details:
PO Box 1313 Broome Western Australia 6725
Contact Telephone Number:
Phone:
+61 8 9193 5600 (international)
Phone:
08 9193 5600 (within Australia)
Aims: Broome Bird Observatory is dedicated to the conservation of
migratory shorebirds. Its principle aim is to work for the conservation
of migratory shorebirds which visit Roebuck Bay along with the many
endemic birds of Broome.The Observatory
fosters science-based study, public education and alliances with
conservation organisations from the local to international level.
Site Description:
The Broome region is regarded as the most significant site in Australia
for shorebirds and with over fifty species recorded, Roebuck Bay has the
greatest diversity of shorebird species of any site in the world. The
magnificent coastal scenery of Roebuck Bay provides a fitting backdrop
for the birds and is a stunning attraction in its own right.
The Broome region is home to more than 300 species of birds. This is
more than one third of Australia's total species and includes 50 species
of shorebirds, which is nearly a quarter of the world's total. Also 22
of the 24 raptors found in Australia have been recorded in and around
Broome. It is not unusual for 15 raptor species to be sighted in a
single day.
The Observatory is also ideally positioned for exploring the great
abundance of species found on the other major habitats of the area.
These include extensive grassy plains, open tropical woodlands, acacia
scrub, saltmarshes, claypans, fresh water lakes and mangroves. Each of
these habitats are rich with endemic and nomadic bush birds.
Other Information: Broome Bird Observatory was established in 1988 by Birds
Australia (Australia's peak scientific and recreational birding
organisation) as a research and education facility.
Broome
Bird Observatory has two main projects currently active.
Project
1; To study the resident and transient bird population around the Broome
Bird Observatory this includes colour banding of Great Bowerbirds for a
post doctoral study but this will continue after the study has been
completed.
Project
2: To study the population dynamics of mangroves in the Crab Creek area.
Project 3: A third
project involving individual marking of Black Kites will commence as
soon as possible.
Other
projects that are undertaken when personnel numbers allow are
a)
Banding in the town Mangroves where a different suite of birds are
encountered
b)
Banding at registered sites on Roebuck Plains targeting single species
such as Yellow Chat, Red-backed Fairy Wren etc.
c)
Opportunistic banding at registered sites in the Pindan for species that
are not encountered on a regular basis such as White-winged Triller
d)
Broome Bird Observatory is also actively involved in assisting the North
West Wader Study group during canon netting operations in the area. This
includes the recent (February 2008) satellite tagging of Bar-tailed
Godwit as well as the more regular colour banding of Great Knot, Red
Knot and Bar-tailed godwit.
e)
The observatory also assists in the annual Australasian Wader Studies
Group Wader and Tern expeditions.
f}
The observatory staff also assist in irregular night time mist netting
sessions for waders at the inland lakes.
For further details contact the wardens at Broome Bird
Observatory on 9193 5600 or e-mail bbo@birdsaustralia.com.au
or visit our web site www.broomebirdobservatory.com
